MSHA outlines hearing process in investigation of Upper Big Branch Mine explosion
ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today further defined its plans for a series of public hearings in the investigation of the April 5 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va. The public hearings will commence after the initial witness interviews are completed. “MSHA [...]
Casey calls for hold on Massey permits
By Scott Beveridge U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is calling on state mining regulators to place a hold on any applications from Massey Energy to begin mining in Washington County, a day after the company purchased area coal reserves in bankruptcy court. Casey said he wants any permits stalled until the company’s safety issues are resolved [...]
MSHA appoints team to investigate Upper Big Branch South Mine explosion
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration has appointed a team to investigate the April 5 explosion at the Upper Big Branch South Mine (Performance Coal Co.) in Whitesville, W.Va. “Twenty-five hardworking men died unnecessarily in a mine Monday,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The very best way [...]
Federal No. 2 Mine shut down again
by Ken Ward Jr. Patriot Coal Co. said late Friday that it had closed its Federal No. 2 Mine in north-central West Virginia again because of bad gas readings in a sealed area of the mine. In a news release, the company said: Patriot Coal Corporation today reported that it has temporarily suspended active mining [...]
OSHA and DuPont: Belle plant seldom inspected
by Ken Ward Jr. Gazette photo by Chris Dorst When federal workplace safety inspectors walked through the gates of DuPont Co.’s Belle, W.Va., chemical plant yesterday to begin investigating worker Carl “Dan” Fish’s death, it was the first them they had set foot in the place in nearly five years. The U.S. Department of Labor’s [...]
Mine safety awards announced
As the National Mining Association says in a press release, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced its “Sentinels of Safety” awards. The awards “recognized 20 U.S. coal and mineral mines for their outstanding safety record in 2008, the safest year in the history of American mining,” the group said. [...]
